Recycled Resin Compositions And Disposable Medical Devices Made Therefrom

Abstract

Syringe plunger rods comprising an elongate body formed from a composition comprising one or more of virgin material, a sterilization-stable recycled resin and a biobased compositions are described. Plunger rods comprising a plurality of ribs, some of which may have a plurality of openings, are also described. The plunger rods requiring less material while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to function properly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A syringe plunger rod comprising:
 an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end defining a length, the elongate body formed from a composition comprising one or more of a sterilization-stable recycled resin and a biobased composition;   a thumbpress positioned at the proximal end of the elongate body; and   a stopper support positioned at the distal end of the elongate body formed from one or more of a sterilization-stable recycled resin and a biobased composition.   
     
     
         2 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises at least one rib extending the length of the elongate body, the at least one rib comprising a plurality of spaced openings. 
     
     
         3 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate body comprises four ribs in a plus shape. 
     
     
         4 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of spaced openings are along two of the four ribs. 
     
     
         5 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate body comprises three ribs. 
     
     
         6 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of spaced openings are along two of the three ribs. 
     
     
         7 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of spaced openings are along one of the three ribs. 
     
     
         8 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 2 , further comprising support walls spaced along the length of the elongate body. 
     
     
         9 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate body comprises two ribs in a v-shape with a plurality of support walls spaced along the length of the elongate body. 
     
     
         10 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate body comprises at least two ribs extending the length of the elongate body and the plurality of spaced openings are positioned on less than all of the ribs. 
     
     
         11 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of support walls spaced along the length of the elongate body. 
     
     
         12 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a hollow portion. 
     
     
         13 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one rib within the hollow extending at least partially along the length of the elongate body. 
     
     
         14 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 11 , wherein the hollow portion is shaped substantially similar to that of the elongate body. 
     
     
         15 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more of an antioxidant component, slip additive component, anti-static component, impact modifier component, colorant component, acid scavenger component, x-ray fluorescence agent component, radio-opaque filler component, surface modifier component, processing aid component, melt stabilizer, clarifiers and reinforcing agent component. 
     
     
         16 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is cylindrical and there are a plurality of openings therethrough spaced along the length of the elongate body. 
     
     
         17 . A syringe plunger rod comprising:
 an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end defining a length, the elongate body having at least one opening therethrough;   a thumbpress positioned at the proximal end of the elongate body; and   a stopper support positioned at the distal end of the elongate body,   wherein the plunger rod is made from a composition comprising one or more of virgin material, sterilization-stable recycled resin and a biobased composition.   
     
     
         18 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 17 , wherein the elongate body comprises at least one rib extending the length of the elongate body and a plurality of openings spaced along the length of the at least one rib. 
     
     
         19 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 17 , wherein the elongate body comprises a hollow portion along the length of the elongate body. 
     
     
         20 . The syringe plunger rod of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one rib extending within the hollow portion along at least a partial length of the elongate body.